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The lion who thought he was a monkey
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, lived a lion who thought he was a monkey.
Oh, what a sight to behold; a 400 pound lion attempting to hang out with his monkey buddies.
It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
You see, years ago, when the lion was quite young, he became fascinated with the monkey family which lived next door. Throughout the day, the lion and monkeys were inseparable; you’d never see one without the whole gang.
Now there’s really nothing wrong with lions and monkeys hanging out, unless they become confused about their identity and purpose in life.
Lions were not created to swing from tree to tree, limb to limb. They were created to rule the animal kingdom; to be the King of the Beasts.
But even a lion, if confused, can be reduced to a noisy, paranoid, fidgety monkey; a monkey in actions, but in truth, a lion.
And no matter how well the lion could imitate his little friends, it never changed what he truly was.
A lion.
A lion living far beneath his intended purpose.
There are many people in the world living far beneath their intended purpose. They were created, by God, to live an abundant, God infused life.
Although they’re loaded with unique gifts, talents, and abilities, they, like the lion, are confused about who they are. They’ve become so focused on what others around them are doing, they’ve learned to emulate their behavior and ultimately believe that’s who they are.
Some people “discover” their identity with the help of Hollywood, Social Media, and the overall societal voice. “This is what you feel, believe, question, etc.” the whole kit and caboodle forced into a confused, out of touch world.
Trying to make monkeys out of lions.
I’m not dissing monkeys. I’m simply saying you and I need to find out who we are, why are we here, and get on with life.
And in order to learn our purpose, we must listen to the One Who created us.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NLT)
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Whether you claim to be a Christian or not, God has ALREADY done something extraordinary for you! He’s made it possible, through faith in Jesus, for you to know and fulfill your purpose in life.
We’ve been created to bring God glory in everything we do.
When a lion thinks he’s a monkey, he’ll never live with true dignity and purpose.
If you and I buy the devil’s lie that we’re only an accident, or nothing more than an animal, we will forever be swinging from tree to tree; always falling short of God’s purpose for our lives.
But…“as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12 – 1:13 NASB)
“…those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17 NASB)
It’s time to know who you really are in Christ Jesus. Let the monkeys be monkeys; you be the lion God created you to be.
In Christ Jesus; forgiven of all sin, free of all condemnation, and filled with His power enabling you to be and do who HE said you are.
Amen.
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Adultery is a very dangerous game.
Meet the Avenger. The One Who carries out justice for the abused, downtrodden, and abandoned.
He seems to have a real problem with those who fail to honor their marriage vows, or the marriage vows of others.
In fact, I think it’s safe to say He cops a real attitude when someone decides to abandon their wife or husband, along with their children.
It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Avenger.
In case you are wondering, I’m not referring to some fictional superhero, or a group of super-powered men and women who are always spoiling for a fight.
I’m referring to the Lord, God Almighty.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 – 4:7 NKJV)
“The Lord is the Avenger of all such…”
All such what? People whose marriages, families, and lives have been destroyed because someone stepped into territory not belonging to them. They coveted someone else’s spouse, took part in defiling the marriage covenant (which God considers to be holy), and have taken advantage of mercy and grace.
People who defraud, or take advantage of, and misuse a friendship to follow unhealthy feelings and inappropriate desires, always seem to use excuses which somehow blame God for their feelings.
Things like, “We are so right for each other.” “God knows what I needed.” “The Lord gave me a true soul mate”. “Besides, after I get what I want, I’ll say I’m sorry and call out for God’s mercy and grace.”
Never mind the verses which contradict that line of reasoning. Forget the fact God hates divorce.
The God Who inspired the passages regarding mercy and grace also inspired Paul to write, “God is the Avenger of such…”
Wife, has your husband run out on you and is treating you like last year’s fertilizer?
Husband, did your wife leave you for someone more “spiritual” than you?
You do NOT need to pray the plagues down on them.
If you have sought to be reconciled, but are continually rejected, you can rest in God.
He has your back.
And while you may not see your family restored (people make their own choices), God will take care of you. He’ll take care of your family, your finances, and your future.
As for your spouse, well, they’ll have a lot of explaining to do when the Avenger begins to exact payment from them.
Yes, it’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Avenger.
He’s absolutely adorable as the God of mercy and grace; but as the Avenger…
He’s terrifying.
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So you wanna be a preacher, eh?
Oh, I remember those early days of walking with Jesus.
Studying the word, listening to teaching/preaching tapes, going to bible studies, and meeting with friends to share with them the latest revelation the Lord had given me.
You see, I was called to preach.
All I needed was a pulpit, a classroom, or some leadership position where I could showcase my gift.
At least, that’s what I thought.
However, the Lord wasn’t nearly as impressed as I was; nor did He believe I was ready to handle such responsibility.
No, what I needed to learn was serving and submission to authority (among other things).
And He provided two pastors to help me learn those lessons.
We attended a small church. The pastor, whom we really loved, not only pastored the flock but also worked a secular job.
We’d arrive early at church on Sunday morning so we could fellowship a little before Sunday School. The pastor would always be busy running the vacuum cleaner in the hallway, so if I was going to fellowship with him, I had to follow him up and down the hall while he worked.
So that’s what I did.
While he vacuumed, I told him all the neat things God had shown me throughout the week.
Then one day he resigned.
We were crushed!
I met him a couple days later for breakfast, in an attempt to talk him into changing his mind. I even offered to help; I’d help with the teaching/preaching duties.
What I needed to do was put my hand on the vacuum cleaner.
He wouldn’t change his mind, so after a while, a new pastor arrived.
By then I’d learned how to run the vacuum, so I started cleaning the church. But I was still called to preach, so I wasted no time letting the new guy know.
What a patient, patient man.
He’s the one who told me I needed to finish my bible courses instead of looking for the quickest way to ordination.
He’s the one who loved me enough to reprimand me when I “hired” a co-youth pastor without talking with him first.
He’s the who, though understanding and recognizing the call of God on my life, didn’t let me off the hook if I needed to hear something for my own good.
I asked him one day if I could help him with some hospital visits; one in particular. I asked him what he thought would be best thing to do.
He told me some practical and pastoral things, like, be there for the family and stay out of the nurse’s way.
Since I was called to preach, I told him what I thought I should do.
His response? “If you didn’t want my advice, why did you ask?”
I finally learned the calling doesn’t make the preacher. The anointing doesn’t promote or defend a preacher, either.
Character counts, regardless of the calling. A godly, disciplined character not only pleases God, but demonstrates to others traits such as faithfulness, integrity, and truthfulness.
Are you a young preacher, on your way to changing the world? To whom are you submitted, and committed? Are you helping someone else fulfill their calling, their God-given dream while you prepare for yours?
If you can’t be trusted with another’s dream, how can you be trusted with your own?
Are you a “seasoned” preacher; busy winning the world to Jesus? Are you doing everything by yourself, because it’s easier that way? Or are you helping that obnoxious wannabe preacher learn what it takes to go after their God-given dream?
We definitely need one another. I know I did back then, as well as today.
So, what are you going to do about it?
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1 – 2:2 NKJV)
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Your pain can be a catalyst for hope.
I published a short post yesterday entitled, “When it hurts like hell.” In it I talked about pain that is so bad it feels like God has abandoned you. Pain so strong it’s impossible to make any sense out of it.
While I was in no way attempting to equate anyone’s pain with unimaginable conditions of the eternal place of the damned, there are times when the only way to describe what you’re feeling is to refer to a place out of this world. A terrible place, at that.
But I’d like to make one distinction between our worst possible pain and the place called hell.
Probably the one major difference between anyone’s pain and hell is hope.
Hell offers no hope whatsoever.
Yet, even in our deepest, darkest pain there is hope.
You may have to search to find it, but if you’ll seek, you will find.
“But where should I look?”
The God of hope (Romans 15:13). He’s the only One who has been to hell, conquering it before rising from the dead.
“(I Am…) and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” (Revelation 1:18 NASB)
“But I can’t see God when I’m feeling great, let alone when I’m in deep despair!”
Search the scriptures, the Holy Bible, God’s written word. Within its pages are stories, examples of people like you and I who experienced tremendous pain, yet somehow made it through.
You will also find exceedingly great and precious promises from God; words He’ll speak directly to your hurting heart.
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 NKJV)
God has NEVER promised a life (while on this earth) free of pain. He HAS promised to be at our side, and go through everything with us.
The very One Who conquered death, hell, and the grave can conquer our pain; all the while leading us in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.
So the next time it “hurts like hell”, let your pain be a catalyst for hope. Let it remind you of Jesus, Who has gone through the greatest pain ever known and yet says, “Come to Me…and find rest for your soul”.
Paul learned this truth, as he described in his second letter to the Corinthians.
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 – 12:10 NKJV)
Don’t allow your pain to bury you. And if you need help rising above it, reach out to the faithful God and a faithful friend.
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When it hurts like hell
The phrase is an apt description of certain periods of pain. Pain so intense, God seems to be light years away.
It hurts like hell describes pain, whether physical or emotional, that is so dark and senseless; without the slightest hint of understanding or explanation.
It just hurts.
Like hell.
Have you ever experienced such pain?
Maybe you’ve been the cause of it.
I’d like to say there’s a fast answer; an immediate cure for such pain.
But I can’t.
Sure, I could say, “Give it to Jesus. Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.”
And yes, it’s a very good thing to do. But life still goes on, circumstances are as they were, and we still must find a way to cope.
The only consolation I’ve found, with God’s help, is truth that I’m not alone when it hurts like hell.
I don’t always feel God’s presence, or His care. But He has promised to be with me in trouble; in fact, a very present help in times of trouble.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 ESV)
Even when it hurts like hell.
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Sorry, but Super Pastors do NOT exist.
Can you explain to me why the church does a great job of showing compassion toward others, but sometimes struggle to extend that same care to their pastor?
I mean it.
If Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Layman are having a hard time coping with life, everyone and their brother offers to pray, watch the kids, bring meals, and give tons of grace.
That’s not always the case when the hurting couple is none other than Rev. and Mrs. Richard C. Pastor. They should know what to do, how to handle life’s crud, and still minister to the flock.
Why? Who said so? Jesus?
I don’t think so.
Jesus grew weary, lost a family member who was also a close friend, and had need for people and angels to minister to Him.
Remember?
“Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities – Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” (Luke 8:1 – 8:3 NKJV)
“Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” (Mark 1:12 – 1:13 NKJV)
My point? Jesus had times when He needed help from others.
So why do we expect pastors to be superhuman?
Men and women of God are not God. They have frailties and weaknesses like everyone else. And even though they may be proficient in helping others handle life’s issues, they’re not always hitting on all cylinders when it comes to trying to deal with what life throws at them and their family members.
Are YOU always running at 100% efficiency? I’m not.
“But the bible says…”
How about quoting the bible while YOU are being run over by a freight train, and see how well you manage.
Super Pastor does not exist.
What DOES exist is the Body of Christ, who, according to the Apostle Paul, should have the same care one for another (1 Corinthians 12).
It seems everyone is looking for a superhero these days; yes, even in the church.
And though God anoints men and women with His Holy Spirit, it doesn’t mean they never tire or become discouraged.
Are YOU a pastor? If so, will you stop trying to be Super Pastor? You don’t have to tell everyone all your shortcomings or fears and frustrations. But don’t act as though you have none.
Are YOU part of a local church body? What do YOU do to support, encourage, and serve your pastor and family?
Are you adding to their load, or helping them carry theirs?
Should you expect your pastor to be an exemplary believer? Absolutely! But that doesn’t equate to perfection.
Your pastor and family face things many Christians never will, besides dealing with all the “normal” stuff. They get tired, depressed, and worried about one thing and another.
Just like you and I.
They need your love and prayers, just like you need theirs.
It’s been said many pastors quit “the ministry” each year. Maybe the numbers wouldn’t be so high if the Church acted like we’re supposed to.
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:26 – 12:27 NKJV)
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Is there something we’re missing about water baptism?
I believe there’s more to water baptism than a simple “outward sign of an inward work”.
Obedience goes deeper than “just because He said so”.
It seems there’s a degree of power we may not be utilizing, because we haven’t totally understood the wisdom of God and water baptism.
Jesus told His followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19 – 28:20 NASB)
“…teaching them to observe all…” observance means to obey (obey all I’ve commanded you) which would include water baptism.
Each time you and I make a decision to obey God, whether we feel like it or not, God’s grace is poured into our lives to help us in our obedience.
It’s what He was really referring to in Malachi chapter three. “Prove Me… by obeying Me”.
It’s not an easy thing to control the desires of the flesh. And yet we’re instructed to “reckon ourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God” (Roman 6:11).
Water baptism is an act of obedience AND identification which God uses to give us an edge, so to speak.
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4 NASB)
There are many folks around the world who believe in water baptism. But sometimes, they miss out on the power of God for a lack of true, biblical understanding of what is taking place.
“My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6).
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working (operation) of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11 – 2:12 NKJV)
Could it be many of us have had, or are having, trouble with the flesh as a result?
Jesus, just prior to going into the wilderness for those 40 days, met His cousin John at the river and asked him to baptize Him.
At first John balked, but soon acquiesced and baptized the Son of God.
As he did, “the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16,17 ESV)
How would you like to face temptation with so much assurance in Whose you are, and what God is doing in you?
Water baptism is a picture of how God works in us. Buried, risen, new life and new power.
Water baptism, a type of circumcision; a cutting away of the old flesh, the old way of living, and making a covenant with a new Lord and Master.
THE Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Though we are to walk by faith and not by sight, we have a mental picture of our flesh being cut away, and the new creation resurrected in its place.
“The old man is dead; long live the new creation!”
Obeying the gospel requires repentance, a declaration from the heart, announcing to Heaven and Hell we have a new Lord and Master, AND our declaration to all those around us that we’re dead to sin, and alive to God!
And though we may not hear God’s audible voice, “This is My beloved son, in whom I’m well pleased”, our spirit is quickened with the same spirit of faith.
How much control did the world, the flesh, or the devil have on Jesus? None. He was able to go about “healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38)”.
And how much power could anyone, the devil included, have over someone who is no longer able to be reached through their senses?
“Impossible”, you say?
Really? Look at Hebrews 5:13,14.
Just how easy would it be to tempt a dead man?
Something happens within the spirit of the child of God who obeys the gospel, and all He has commanded, and gets baptized in water; the believer’s baptism.
Sure, we can choose to ignore anything and everything God does in our life.
I know I have.
But it doesn’t negate the operation of God.
Paul told Timothy to “stir up the gift that is in you by the laying on of my hands…”. He also told the Romans, “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin.”
No, water baptism does not save us. However, obedience, as a result of faith, does.
Consider this: everything God does in our life has its roots in the spirit realm, though there are things we need to do in the natural to receive it.
Water baptism is an example.
Don’t miss out on what God is doing in your spirit. Don’t just get wet, dry off, and let the devil tell you, “Well, that was a big deal about nothing!”
Reach out, hear your Father say, “This is my beloved child…”. Reckon yourself to be dead to sin, everything paid in full!
Are you a follower of Jesus? Followers of Christ obey their Master.
What will you do?
What are your thoughts?
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Can religious hype make up for weak faith?
“Come and hear a great sermon by our charismatic pastor…”
“Our church is the best church in the city…”
“Our worship leader is sooooo anointed…”
“A church alive is worth the drive…”
“Compassion is in our church’s DNA; it’s who we are and what we do…”
Have you ever heard any claims like these? I’ve heard them; and have even used some of them.
Yes, and others, such as:
“Come and hear some anointed music and preaching…”
“Come and witness the power of God in action…”
“Let’s release our faith and watch God release His glory into this situation…”
No, I’m not opposed to praise and worship! I’d better not be, because Heaven is full of it.
I’m not against testifying of God’s work in my life.
I don’t think it’s wrong to believe God when the local church body has gathered together.
But I don’t understand competition between churches, nor the marketing hype used to sell church services.
Somehow I can’t bring myself to believe Jesus “leading” someone to act in such a way.
“But people need to hear what God’s doing…”
Listen. Whenever God does something, people can’t, excuse me, WON’T keep quiet! Even when Jesus tells them not to tell anyone, they do it anyway!
The whole earth, all of God’s creation, is shouting “Hey, look everyone! There is a God in Heaven!”
The resurrection of Jesus declares the love and power of God; and He demonstrated them both on our account.
The Kingdom of God has gotten along fine for a number of years; even without a special ad campaign, marketing execs, or branding experts.
The woman at the well (John 4) was pricked in her heart when she encountered love for the very first time.
No amount of hype will do that.
Peter was asked to come raise Dorcas from the dead after the disciples in Joppa heard what had happened in Lydda (Acts 9).
No, it wasn’t a TV ad or YouTube video which got everyone’s attention.
People who experienced God told others about God.
Am I saying it’s wrong to tell people what God is doing? No.
But let’s not have faith in the hype. Let’s not believe in the power of a well developed ad, media display, or Facebook account.
Trusting in carnal ways never builds the kingdom of God. It only promotes the kingdom of man, competition, jealousy, discord and strife among the brethren.
Trusting in God’s word, power and authority draws multitudes to the middle of the desert to hear some wild looking cat tell them they must repent. Right John?
Let’s quit trying to mask our weak faith with religious hype.
God knows the difference; and frankly, the world does, as well.
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What would Jesus say to Americans?
I admit this is my opinion, and I’m not claiming any “divine revelation” or “thus saith the Lord”.
But I do believe this with my whole heart.
I believe, if Jesus were standing in any of our country’s major cities, He’d have some things to say to us.
To His followers the message would be very clear:
1. Get out of your comfort zone and represent the Kingdom of God. Speak the message of the Kingdom, not your own pet doctrines.
2. Not everyone will receive it, but speak of and demonstrate the kingdom of God.
3. Pray for more workers.
To His adversaries, those who refused to believe Him, He would speak these words:
1. Judgment and condemnation. “But I thought there wasn’t any condemnation in Jesus.”
There isn’t for all who receive Him (Romans 8:1,2).
2. A promise of division. It’s the nature of the kingdom of darkness, not the Kingdom of light. No peace, no future.
And to those who aren’t sure what to believe:
1. If you’ll hear the word of His messenger, you’ll hear His word. And of course, the opposite is also true.
2. Look around you. Notice the signs of the times. If you can forecast the weather, you should be able to discern time is running out for mankind.
Here are the verses I’m referring to; they were spoken by Jesus almost 2000 years ago, but can apply to today’s Americans.
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves…
‘…Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ’The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
‘But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ’Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.
‘The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me’” (Luke 10:1 – 10:16 ESV)“‘I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
‘Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
“He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?’” (Luke 12:49 – 12:56 ESV)
Which group are you in?
Followers, adversaries, or the iffy group?
You’re in one of them; so what’s He saying to you?
Listen up, America.
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Does America really need more churches?
I heard a statistic the other day that made me scratch my head in wonder. It wasn’t so much the statistic, but the assumed way to lessen such a large number.
The statistic?
Over 3,500 people leave the church every day.
Or, about 1.25 million people a year.
The person who quoted the statistic said it’s why we need to plant more churches.
But if people are leaving the church at some 25,000 a week, what good will more churches do? That will just be more churches to vacate.
Why should churches be planted? To reach a particular people group, a certain community, or to give people an option where they can express their faith in a way they’re comfortable?
This has been somewhat the focus of church plants over the last ten years.
I’ve been told a new church plant generates much more excitement than a church that’s been in existence quite a while. People get tired of the same old same-o same-o, so they’re quick to try something new.
It’s one of the latest components of the church growth mentality that a number of Christian leaders are ascribing to.
I kind of think of it as “Shuffling the Saints.”
May I suggest an alternative to church growth, and possibly an answer to the number leaving the church every day?
And what if, instead of suggesting an answer based on the latest marketing ideas, polling data, or some other carnal-minded reasoning; what if I listed a few reasons why the early church grew like it did?
What if we examined how the unlearned fishermen, as well as a Pharisee of Pharisees (and chief among sinners) turned their world upside down with the power of God?
Here are 8 reasons:
1. The leaders spent time with Jesus. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 ESV)2. They didn’t razzle-dazzle their audience with clever speech and well planned “services”. “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1 – 2:5 ESV)
3. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and relied completely on His help. “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” (Acts 6:8 – 6:10 ESV)
4. Holiness was more important than popularity. “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler – not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:11 – 5:13 ESV)
5. The love of and for Christ was their motivation. To them, ministry wasn’t a vocation. It was their passion. “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14 – 5:15 ESV)
6. The believers belonged to each other, not a facility or a leader with a charismatic personality. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts…” (Acts 2:42 – 2:46 ESV)
7. They preached the resurrection of Jesus; every day, in every house, regardless of the cost involved. “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:42 ESV)
8. They loved Jesus more than their own life. “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11 ESV)
Maybe you’re like me, and what I’ve written bears strongly with your spirit. And perhaps these are things you are doing, but, as of yet, having experienced Heaven’s power like the believers did in Acts.
Please don’t give up, or give in. Your labor is not in vain, and God will cause you to go out with joy and be led forth with peace.
As you do things His way.
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
Jan Grace 